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Papa's Pastries
'Miguel's family needs a new roof, firewood, and clothing to survive the winter. Miguel hope his father, a pastry peddler, will sell enough tasty treats to buy the things they need. But all the villagers they meet have also endured great hardship, and Miguel's father gives his pastries to those who need them most. Miguel feels heartbroken. Then something happens that teaches him that kindness is far more valuable than money.'
- GenresPicture BooksFaithFood
32 pages, Hardcover
First published August 17, 2010
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Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews
April 25, 2018
This story shows how "one good turn deserves another" and that "you reap what you sow".
Unfortunately, the story itself is a little weak (and the time frame rather unrealistic -- normally paybacks come later, not immediately). Surely the boy and his family knew that the surrounding towns were suffering economically? Yet, that seems to be a surprise.
The main character is the son of a baker, who peddles his goods in the 3 nearby towns. The family is poor and they need to repair the roof, buy some food, and get new winter clothes. When the father and son go out to sell, no one is buying. The father gives to those that have need. In the end, we see how this generosity is returned to the family.
Unfortunately, the story itself is a little weak (and the time frame rather unrealistic -- normally paybacks come later, not immediately). Surely the boy and his family knew that the surrounding towns were suffering economically? Yet, that seems to be a surprise.
The main character is the son of a baker, who peddles his goods in the 3 nearby towns. The family is poor and they need to repair the roof, buy some food, and get new winter clothes. When the father and son go out to sell, no one is buying. The father gives to those that have need. In the end, we see how this generosity is returned to the family.
March 8, 2022
Genre: Contemporary Realistic
Grade Level: 3rd-5th
This book continues a heartwarming story of how kindness and reliance on God's blessings can get you through life! I love how even though Miguel began to doubt, he later found joy and thanked God for his providings. I also enjoyed on tidbits of Spanish are included, as well as depictions of Miguel's culture. Lovely story, with a great lesson included in the depth of it. I really loved reading it and how everyone came together in the end.
Grade Level: 3rd-5th
This book continues a heartwarming story of how kindness and reliance on God's blessings can get you through life! I love how even though Miguel began to doubt, he later found joy and thanked God for his providings. I also enjoyed on tidbits of Spanish are included, as well as depictions of Miguel's culture. Lovely story, with a great lesson included in the depth of it. I really loved reading it and how everyone came together in the end.
January 18, 2020
So beautiful, in story and message.
February 13, 2022
An excellent book about kindness.
December 12, 2024
Wooow i love love love this book ❤️❤️❤️❤️
November 17, 2012
Grade/interest level: 1st-3rd grade
Reading level: Lexile Level- None available
Genre: Realisting fiction, Multicultural, Picture book
Main Characters: Miguel, Papa, Senor Gonzalez, Senor Vega, Senora Santa
Setting: Miguel's home village in what seems to be rural Mexico as well as surrounding villages
POV: 3rd person narration
The story begins with Miguel's worries about the upcoming winter and the needs of his family. Miguel hopes that his Papa will sell enough pastries in the villages that day in order to make enough money for the family to survive the winter. Papa and Miguel go to three different villages and in each village, there is one person interested in his pastries but they have no money to pay him so papa gives the pastries away to that needy person in each village. When he returns, Mama calls him foolish for giving away all of their goods but Papa just says that there are needier people than them in the world. The whole family was worried for the upcoming months but the following day each of the three people that papa had given the pastries to returned the favor by providing roof repair, chopped wood, and new clothing because the three people had been a carpenter, a woodcutter, and a seamstress.
I would use this story in my classroom to show the importance of kindness and genorosity and how by helpinig others, you not only feel good but they might be able to help you out in the future.
Reading level: Lexile Level- None available
Genre: Realisting fiction, Multicultural, Picture book
Main Characters: Miguel, Papa, Senor Gonzalez, Senor Vega, Senora Santa
Setting: Miguel's home village in what seems to be rural Mexico as well as surrounding villages
POV: 3rd person narration
The story begins with Miguel's worries about the upcoming winter and the needs of his family. Miguel hopes that his Papa will sell enough pastries in the villages that day in order to make enough money for the family to survive the winter. Papa and Miguel go to three different villages and in each village, there is one person interested in his pastries but they have no money to pay him so papa gives the pastries away to that needy person in each village. When he returns, Mama calls him foolish for giving away all of their goods but Papa just says that there are needier people than them in the world. The whole family was worried for the upcoming months but the following day each of the three people that papa had given the pastries to returned the favor by providing roof repair, chopped wood, and new clothing because the three people had been a carpenter, a woodcutter, and a seamstress.
I would use this story in my classroom to show the importance of kindness and genorosity and how by helpinig others, you not only feel good but they might be able to help you out in the future.
April 22, 2013
Miguel lives in a poor village and his home is not prepared for the winter. The roof is damaged, they have no clothes for the winter and there is no firewood. Miguel's father makes pastries and is known for them. In order to make enough money to survive the winter, Miguel and his father go to different villages to sell the pastries, but even the surrounding villages are too poor to afford to buy any. In each of the three villages he visited, there was at one person who wanted to buy the pastries, but could not afford it. Out of kindness, Miguel's father gave away the pastries. In the end this kindness is rewarded because all three of the people his father gave pastries to came to help Miguel's family prepare for the winter with things that they needed. This book is a great addition to my text set because it shows the students how an act of kindness does not get unrewarded whether it be through the satisfaction of helping others, or being shown acts of kindness in return. This story also shows that there will be other people who are less fortunate than ourselves, and that we should help them in any way we can.
June 25, 2011
Whether you are looking for a book for one of your own children, a niece or nephew, or maybe a book to add to your church library, this is a book that captures the spirit of the Christmas season for readers ages 4 - 8.
Miguel and his family live in a small Mexican village. His papa is known for his delicious pastries and today Miguel and Papa must sell all the pastries because they need many things for the coming winter. Unfortunately as Miguel and Papa travel from village to village, everyone is in the same situation as Miguel's family; no one has any money. Papa is so kind though that he gives away pastries anyway.
Continue reading on Examiner.com Book review of Papa's Pastries by Charles Toscano and Sonja Lamut - San Francisco Christian fiction | Examiner.com http://www.examiner.com/christian-fic...
June 28, 2014
Miguel is a poor boy in a poor town. His home needs a new roof, their clothes are in tatters and there is little firewood. Miguel is worried about the upcoming winter. His father makes delectable pastries that he could sell in the city to care for his family. Even though his father wanted to earn money in the city, he saw the needs of his neighbors and decided to share his sweets with them. His kindness was returned by the carpenter, seamstress and wood cutter as they fixed his roof, designed new clothes, and provided chopped wood. I really love this story because it teaches an excellent lesson about being generous, having faith, demonstrating preciosity, and being appreciative for the things that we already have.
September 21, 2012
PB-9
This is one of the best stories I've read so far. Papa's kindness teaches all of us the lesson that a little kindness does go a long way and we should always be thankful or what we have. I would definitely use this book not to read to younger children but to teenagers as well. I think it's very important to remind them to not take things for granted and to be thankful for everything in their lives. I absolutely loved this book and think it's for everyone to read for it teachers everyone a very valuable lesson...to be thankful for everything you have and never back down from an act of kindness.
This is one of the best stories I've read so far. Papa's kindness teaches all of us the lesson that a little kindness does go a long way and we should always be thankful or what we have. I would definitely use this book not to read to younger children but to teenagers as well. I think it's very important to remind them to not take things for granted and to be thankful for everything in their lives. I absolutely loved this book and think it's for everyone to read for it teachers everyone a very valuable lesson...to be thankful for everything you have and never back down from an act of kindness.
April 19, 2012
Not only does this book represent a part of the Mexican culture, but this book also demonstrates a strong theme of unselfishly meeting the needs of other people. Children have the opportunity to learn parts of the Spanish language, as well as character qualities of an admirable citizen and community.
*Fiction
*Fiction
December 27, 2014
A nice, simple story about the importance of giving to others and having faith that the universe or God will provide what you need. A little too religious for this Atheist, but a decent book for talking to kids about whether Papa made the right choices and what they would have done in the same situation.
March 27, 2012
Miguel sees the results of his father's faith and generosity when, although his own family is facing the oncoming winter with threadbare clothing, a leaky roof, and no firewood, Papa gives away the pastries he has baked.
January 5, 2011
This story is just delightful! The theme of generosity is old as the hills, but I really enjoyed this take on it, along with the lovely illustrations. I'm almost giving this one five stars, not quite there, but darn close.
September 20, 2014
I very much enjoyed this story and the illustrations that went along with it. It taught very many valuable lessons about faith and generosity, which would be very valuable to children. I would most definitely use this book in the classroom.
December 6, 2012
3.5 STARS -- Fable set in Mexico about the power of kindness to others. I could have done without the religious references, but the story was enjoyable and carried a positive message.
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March 21, 2017This book is about a boy named Miguel. His family needs money for warm clothes, a new roof, and a fireplace to get them through the winter, but they just can't afford it. Miguel hopes that his dad will sell a lot of his pastries to make enough money, but in their village he ends up not making a lot because he gave them away to people who needed them. When they enter a new village Miguel soon realizes that kindness is better than money.
Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews